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Definition of continual adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

continual

adjective
 
/kənˈtɪnjuəl/
 
/kənˈtɪnjuəl/
[only before noun]
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  1. repeated many times in a way that is annoying
    • continual complaints/interruptions
    Extra Examples
    • He seemed to need continual reassurance.
    • The drivers had continual problems with mud on the road.
    • There were continual arguments because he felt he was being treated unfairly.
    • They are subjected to physical attacks and continual racist taunts.
    Topics Timec1
  2. continuing without being interrupted synonym continuous
    • He was in a continual process of rewriting his material.
    • We lived in continual fear of being discovered.
    • Her daughter was a continual source of delight to her.
    • She kept the letter as a continual reminder of his kindness.
    Which Word? continuous / continualcontinuous / continualThese adjectives are frequently used with the following nouns:
    continuous ~continual ~
    processchange
    employmentproblems
    flowupdating
    linequestions
    speechpain
    supplyfear
    • Continuous and continuously describe something that continues without stopping.
    • Continual and continually usually describe an action that is repeated again and again.
    • The difference between these two words is now disappearing. In particular, continual/​continually can also mean the same as continuous/​continuously:
      • Life was a continual struggle for them.
      • The technology is continually improving.
      However, continuous and continuously are much more frequent in this sense.
    Extra Examples
    • They live in continual fear.
    • They have to live with the continual threat of terrorism.
    • The stretching involves slow, continual movement.
    • The body is in a continual state of chemical activity.
    • She was in continual pain.
    • By each hive there was a continual coming and going of bees.
    Topics Timec1
  3. Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French continuel, from continuer ‘continue’, from Latin continuare, from continuus ‘uninterrupted’, from continere ‘hang together’ (from con- ‘together with’ + tenere ‘hold’).
See continual in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee continual in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
sufficiently
adverb
 
 
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